Can the Holy Spirit dwell in a non-Christian?

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I’m not too sure whether this is the appropriate forum for the question, but please give me an answer.

I remember, a priest once told me that even a non-Christian could have the Holy Spirit. Is this Catholic teaching? Or was he giving his own opinion?
 
iaskquestions said:
I’m not too sure whether this is the appropriate forum for the question, but please give me an answer.

I remember, a priest once told me that even a non-Christian could have the Holy Spirit. Is this Catholic teaching? Or was he giving his own opinion?
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I believe that if the Holy Spirit is in you, then you will be drawn to Christ. Jesus says no-one comes to him, accept one who is drawn by the Father - I believe He is referring to the Holy Spirit.

I believe you can have the Holy Spirit and not be Catholic (certainly hopeso, as I am Protestant 🙂 ). Even Catholic doctrine acknowledges Baptized protestants as “Christian brothers”.

Now - I believe the Holy Spirit may imbide even in those who have not become Baptized Christians - but in the sense of calling and urging them to discover and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Will be curious to read other replies to this (good question).
 
It appears that this is consistent with the CCC and not his personal opinion:
1989 The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus’ proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."38 Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high. "Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.39
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Without the Holy Spirit one cannot repent and experience conversion.
 
Since the Church teaches that one can never even hear of Christ and yet get to heaven (I think the reasoning is that Christ will judge him on how he would have acted had he learned of Christ), then yes the Holy Spirit could dwell within the person.

One could also look at Abraham and numerous OT heroes to confirm this, IMO.
 
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth. How can that Spirit dwell on someone living a lie? I think that If you do not know Jesus then you do not have the Holy Spirit.
 
tessi said:
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth. How can that Spirit dwell on someone living a lie? I think that If you do not know Jesus then you do not have the Holy Spirit.
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But, unless the Holy Spirit were to come to you and dwell with you, how would you ever come to know the truth? 🤷

I certainly believe that the Holy Spirit dwells with whomever He wills, and draws them into the Church to be with Jesus. 🙂
 
tessi said:
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth. How can that Spirit dwell on someone living a lie? I think that If you do not know Jesus then you do not have the Holy Spirit.
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But ignorance of Christ is not “living a lie”, it’s simply living in ignorance. To deny Christ, is another matter, for it implies knowing Christ and rejecting Him :eek:.
 
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit would refer to sactifying grace. This is only achieved when one is free from mortal sin. This is when the God head dwells within us. The saints have spoken about this and some have been given the vision of those who were in mortal sin and those who were in sanctifying grace. The souls of those in sanctifying grace shine like the sun. So I think we’re talking about two different things here. Does the Holy Spirit inspire and give grace to all? Yes. But as far as achieving this special indwelling of the God head, one needs valid sacraments. We need valid confession if one falls into mortal sin. Or of course, one needs to make a complete and sincere act of contrition. But, this is difficult to achieve. Normally, sacramental confession is the way Christ set up for us.

Can protestants achieve santifying grace? No. apart from a sincere act. And remember this state is not always apparent to us. We can have a moral certitude however ie. good conscious.
 
No. I believe the Holy Spirit only is present in someone who God chooses. But it may be alive in a person who doesnt know what a Christian is, and have never been taught, and still lives the word of God thru the Holy Spirit. I think the Holy Spirit is the good in you, the love in you. And that is God.
 
I think the Holy Spirit gives grace to non Christians, people like Ghandi had it
 
Can the Holy Spirit say Jesus is not God?
Can the Holy Spirit say Jesus is not present in the Eucharist?
How could the Holy Spirit blow “God is not Trinity”?
 
Safe_Eagle said:
Can protestants achieve santifying grace? No. apart from a sincere act. And remember this state is not always apparent to us. We can have a moral certitude however ie. good conscious.
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Are you certain of this statement? Besides being rather arrogant, I don’t think the Catholic Church teaches this.

For instance, when a Methodist is baptized (which the Catholic Church recognizes as a fully Sacramental Baptism), wouldn’t this place the Methodist in a state of Sanctifying Grace?
 
If the Holy Spirit can prophesy through the mouth of an ***, there is no reason to think that he cannot dwell in a non-believer.

Matthew
 
iaskquestions said:
I’m not too sure whether this is the appropriate forum for the question, but please give me an answer.

I remember, a priest once told me that even a non-Christian could have the Holy Spirit. Is this Catholic teaching? Or was he giving his own opinion?
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God calls all to himself, to love.
How … through the Holy Spirit.

michel
 
The HOly Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life.

Even our own natural life is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is what instills the actual grace that leads to conversion.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is always at work in everyone, even non-Christians. Of course, he is not affirming their errors, but his work in them is different, leading them to see the truth.

Without the Holy Spirit working in non-Christians, how can they ever hope to become Christians?
 
iaskquestions said:
I remember, a priest once told me that even a non-Christian could have the Holy Spirit. Is this Catholic teaching? Or was he giving his own opinion?
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It is my understanding that anyone, including a non-Christian, who manifests perfect charity or perfect contrition receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (See Catholic Encyclopedia, Baptism: Part X. Substitutes for the Sacrament: Baptism of Desire.)
 
See the only trouble i am having is, I cant see the Holy Spirit dwelling in anyone if they arent Christian. Because it is the Holy Spirit that brings us to God and that is how we remain Christian. To me if you have the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you are a Christian. Maybe im looking at this wrong. I just cant see someone having the gift of the Holy Spirit in them and not believing in God. To me they go hand and hand. This one im not connecting on. Again maybe im seeing this one wrong.
 
rinnie said:
See the only trouble i am having is, I cant see the Holy Spirit dwelling in anyone if they arent Christian. Because it is the Holy Spirit that brings us to God and that is how we remain Christian. To me if you have the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you are a Christian. Maybe im looking at this wrong. I just cant see someone having the gift of the Holy Spirit in them and not believing in God. To me they go hand and hand. This one im not connecting on. Again maybe im seeing this one wrong.
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Did Abraham have the Holy Spirit in him? How about David, Joshua or Moses? How about Isaiah and Jeremiah?
 
NotWorthy said:
Did Abraham have the Holy Spirit in him? How about David, Joshua or Moses? How about Isaiah and Jeremiah?
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I would say yes because the Holy Spirt is one of three beings, All made up of one being God.
 
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